Cameroon Launches World’s First Routine Malaria Vaccine Program to Save Thousands of Children’s Lives
In a groundbreaking move, Cameroon has become the first country in the world to implement a routine vaccine program against malaria. This initiative is projected to save the lives of thousands of children across Africa. The symbolic first jab was given to a baby girl named Daniella at a health facility near Yaoundé on Monday, marking a significant milestone in the fight against this deadly disease.
Malaria continues to be a major health crisis in Africa, with an alarming number of deaths each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 600,000 people lose their lives to malaria in Africa annually, and children under the age of five account for at least 80% of these deaths. The introduction of the RTS,S vaccine in Cameroon aims to combat this devastating statistic by offering it free of charge to all infants up to six months old. The vaccine requires four doses to be administered.
While the vaccine’s efficacy rate stands at 36%, according to US researchers, it is not considered a “silver bullet” in the fight against malaria. Willis Akhwale from the End Malaria Council Kenya emphasizes that although the vaccine’s efficacy is relatively low, it serves as an important additional tool for healthcare professionals. Cameroonian doctor Shalom Ndoula, who played a key role in the vaccine rollout, echoes this sentiment, stating that it will significantly reduce the number of malaria cases and deaths and accelerate the disease’s elimination.
The development of the RTS,S vaccine has been a result of 30 years of research by British drug-maker GSK. Its approval by the World Health Organization is seen as a historic moment in the global battle against malaria. Prior to its implementation in Cameroon, successful pilot campaigns were conducted in Kenya, Ghana, and Malawi. This year, 20 other countries, including Burkina Faso, Liberia, Niger, and Sierra Leone, aim to roll out the vaccine program, according to the global vaccine alliance, Gavi.
Cameroon, a country that records approximately six million malaria cases annually, with 4,000 deaths in health facilities, is taking a proactive approach to combat this disease. The vaccine will be administered to six-month-old children in 42 districts with the highest rates of morbidity and mortality. These children will receive four doses until the age of two, providing them with protection against malaria.
Despite the significant benefits of the vaccine program, concerns have been raised about vaccine hesitancy among some Cameroonians. Fears and doubts about the safety and efficacy of the doses have led to skepticism. However, vaccination official Daniele Ekoto assures the public that the vaccine is safe, effective, and free. Reassuring several mothers after administering doses to their children, Ekoto emphasizes the importance of vaccinating to avoid the devastating effects of malaria. One mother at the vaccination center in Soa, near Yaoundé, shared her decision to vaccinate her child, stating, “It’s a bad thing, and when it affects a child, they can easily die.”
In 2021, Africa accounted for 95% of global malaria cases and approximately 96% of related deaths. The launch of the routine malaria vaccine program in Cameroon signifies a major step forward in the fight against this mosquito-borne disease. With the support of Gavi and other countries planning to implement the program, there is hope that more lives can be saved and progress can be made towards eliminating malaria once and for all.
Related Topics: Health, Cameroon, Malaria
